AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA costly injury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the second straight year, the Falcons lose a pass-rushing defensive end to injury and they have their high-priced offseason acquisition go down.
Defensive end John Abraham, who has played in two of six games, had surgery Tuesday morning to repair an abdominal tear. He’s out, optimistically, for three to four weeks. This was his fourth operation to his lower abdomen/groin area and this will mark the fourth time out of seven NFL years he will not play a full season.
Coach Jim Mora said the recent diagnosis and the follow-up procedure on Abraham took place hours after his Monday morning press conference, in which he said he thought Abe would be healthy enough to play Sunday, adding it was no certainty, though. That is why there was such a radical change in Abe’s status in a 24-hour period, Mora said.
When the Falcons traded away a first-round pick in a three-team deal to get Abraham from the Jets, they knew he only played three full seasons out of six. Injuries to his groin/abdomen were why. Still, he was signed to a six-year, $45 million deal. After what he did in the season-opener at Carolina (six tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles), that seemed like a bargain basement price.
However, Chauncey Davis will end up spending more time at defensive end than Abraham this season. Davis was thrust into this role in 2005 when Brady Smith suffered a season-ending foot injury. This season, he’s much better, but not having a threat like Abraham makes things a little more difficult.
The Falcons are just getting back their big-ticket free agent from 2005, middle linebacker Ed Hartwell (six years, $26.25 million). They managed to play fairly well at linebacker without him, even though they went through some struggles last season.
There is hope that Abe can come back and have enough impact for the stretch run. It could be a matter of the Falcons still being in the hunt when he’s finally able to make a difference.
Comments
By Jeff
October 24, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
The link to a good article regarding Vick and the Falcons is below:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=smith_michael&id=2637081
By Larry
October 24, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
This is terrible news. Did McKay conduct due diligence?
I guess this means we’ll have to continue to be aggressive. That means we’ll have to blitz. Someone please let Donatell know this.
By b-man
October 24, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Abe will be missed…hopes to a speedy recovery. Chauncey Davis (along w/ the rest of the backups) played well against the Steelers so maybe Abe’s loss won’t hurt too bad.
Maybe this will be a blessing in disguise b/c Abe’s injury will force the D to blitz more if they want to get the same kind of pressure. They did blitz a bit more against the Steelers and the D better.
Go Falcons!!!
By phar71
October 24, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
How in the world do you a tear an abdominal muscle while cheering from the sideline, is this guy made of glass?
By wayne
October 24, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
Why would the Falcons pay so much money for a man that can’t play a full season for them. I don’t understand their thinking on this subject. Some one please explain it to me. Thanks
By phar71
October 24, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Ok, so now that I have read some more he tore the freaking thing during the panthers game, and they waited this long to get a second opinion, and this long to have the surgery. If we had paid attention 5 weeks ago, he would be back and healthy already. What gives with our medical staff?
By Dawgs2006
October 24, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
The Falcons will be fine. The young guys can hold their own until he returns. When he returns we will have great depth and anything he contribute will be a bonus. Sunday injected this team with alot of confidence and the coaching staff knows that their jobs are on the line.
Arthur Blank must have ripped someone a new one.
By Speedy
October 24, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
I agree with phar71. Instead of Hartwell having surgery this summary to fix his knees they wait until the start of the season. Same deal with Abe.
By Chris McAndrew
October 24, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
Abe can’t stay healthy…never has it seems…yet the Falcons pay greatly for him of course. This is the Falcons afterall.
By phar71
October 24, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
What makes me the most upset is not that they waited to have the surgery, it’s that they did not even know about the freaking tear!
By tre
October 24, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this
I don’t like the injury, but if he were going to be out, this is the best time. The Bengals, Lions, Browns have suspect offensive lines, and the Ravens offense is what it has always been. That puts Abe playing against the Saints in the Dome. His groin should be healed a lot more, and we can go down the final stetch with a much more healthy defense. By the way, please bench.
By bravomann
October 24, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this
I agree with phar71, Abraham’s injury should have been diagnosed alot sooner. The Falcon’s win on Sunday was a great one. It will be great when Lelie starts getting as many catches and TD’s as A.J. Then the Falcons will be the most feared Offense in the league. And thanks to the D for stepping it up regardless of the injuries.
By bobbo
October 24, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this
It’s an unfortunate injury. My real Question is, Y did the falcons wait so long until Abe went in for surgery? I understand sometimes these things aren’t diagnosed properly , but this also happened with Hartwell the guy plays all preseason and then right before the season has arthroscopic surgery. Why does Atlanta get affected by the injury bug so often, this team kerney,forney,abe,hartwell,mathis,hall, coleman,carpenter,brooking,smith,griffith, white, have all missed significant time over the last three seasons. I’d hate to call a football player no tough, considering I’m a salesman, but this team doesn’t seem to be tough.
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 24, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
I was pretty concerned about giving up a first-round pick for a guy so injury-prone when it happened in the offseason, but everyone else was drinking the Abraham kool-aid at the time so I went along with them. After the Carolina game I thought maybe the Abraham acquisition would work after all. Turns out that’s not the case. Abraham ain’t a Peerless Price-style bust, but for the money we are paying him, it’s becoming plainly clear trading a first-rounder for him was not worth it.
We traded the #15 overall pick in the draft for Abraham. Penn State DE Tamba Hali went to the Chiefs 5 picks later. So far this year, Abraham has 7 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Hali has 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. I’d say the Chiefs are getting a much bigger bang for their buck.
I hope Abraham can come back and stay healthy and provide us with the pass rush we need, cuz when he’s healthy he’s a great player. But as of right now, we would have been better off keeping our first round pick.
By brianf
October 24, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this
The Falcons are kidding themselves if they think Abraham will be back in 3 to 4 weeks. Go ahead and place him on IR and clear up the roster spot. Also, if Jim Mora believes that Jason Webster is not a liability, he’s crazy. Please don’t insult my football intelligence by trying to sell the fact that safetys are not in the right spots. Any football novice can see that the opponents are picking on Webster. Jimmy Williams certainly couldn’t do any worse. Give the kid a chance.
By Titothebear
October 24, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
I volunteer to wrap Abe’s groin.
By Joe Faulkner
October 24, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
Are we ready to start talking about the lack of depth at D. E.? We need to either get quality depth in free agency or look to the draft — like Gaines Adams of Clemson, Alan Brand of Michigan or one of Ga’s ends. Possibly even a hybrid outside backer similiar to D. Ware of Dallas.
By midniterider
October 24, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this
I said all along Abe wouldnot play 10 games for the birds if he dose come back he will be ineffective Must be nice to get 45 mill to watch the game from the sideline no less
By Tim
October 24, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Lehr who ? I thought Clabo do a great job. Lehr would have been a lot worse. Maybe this is the Falcons chance to unload Lehr since they found out Clabo is so much better.
By Watch Boley
October 24, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
Donnatel has been rushing Boley a lot more recently. With Abe out I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a speed rushers on passing downs with Williams at LB.
By Nikki
October 24, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
we’ve seen the last of Ja. He’ll disappear just like Brady Smith did.
By dirtie birdie
October 24, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this
what’s the deal? have we actually demonstrated that we can talk about the falcons without a battle between the MV7 lovers and the MV7 haters? simply amazing! let’s keep it up.
it is also amazing that we have not yet had a disgusting or disguised racial insult or racial discrimination accusation flung about yet? keep it up boys.
i can pray that tito the bear won’t make a bizarre needless childish homosexual comment at some point, but i am not holding my breath expecting that not to happen.
abe is a disappoinment but mckay had to try and get him and hope he could stay healthy. unfortunately, it seems he can not. but what else do you expect but disappointment from a gamecock?
maybe donatell will finally be forced to change some of the schemes up for the next few weeks as a result.
Does anyone else get the feeling though that Donatell seems to think that is perpetually 4th and 26 like that year against the eagles when he was the dcoord with the pack and that he needs to play a soft D just to make sure that the opposing offense gets that needed 27th yard?
By robdawg06
October 24, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
I think we are seeing why the Jets traded John Abraham now. They knew he was damaged goods already. He had one great game and then is useless… Ditto for Hartwell not being resigned by the Eagles. The Falcons should know now that any former great defensive end or linebacker not sought after by good teams is damaged goods. The defense is still bad. 38 points allowed to the Steelers proves that they are bad. Norwood needs a lot more touches in games. I’d like to see some screens run with him.
By Bruce
October 25, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
All the negative posters have left the Falcons Message Board and swarmed around this Blog. It gets a bit old reading all the doom and gloom crowd’s pessimistic observations.
By Lacsho
October 25, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this
I just have to wonder why didn’t they take care of this before the bye-week, and why in the hell is Mora so hell bent on starting Webster. Mora, Knapp, and Donatell are detrimental to the Falcons. Arthur Blank has to pull the trigger in the off season. Someone has to go, if not all three. This team has too much talent. Honestly I never had faith in Abraham. After he pulled that stunt with the Jets, I lost respect for him. When is the last time he made it through a whole season? Somebody please tell me. Firtst Price and now Abraham (can we say bust). I’m not sold on Hartwell either. Big play Ray for the Ravens can make anyone look good. I think we got burnt on those deals. Why not just draft fresh young talent. If we’re going to give up major yards on defense, I rather it’s a rookie, rather than an over paid Veteran, who’s only after a paycheck. Somebody finally turned on the light, and its shining on Lelie, after umteen screw ups with Roddy White. Sorry folks for the tangent I’m still mad about the New Orleans game. If you’re going to take a chance on a Vet why not Randy Moss at least he’ll make it through the whole season. Could you imagine Lelie, Moss, and then Jenkins, with Crumpler at TE? Plus our running game, now that would be on hell of an offense. Last note on Abraham I’m tired of seeing him on the Falcons channel showing us all the cars he bought with that big paycheck!!!
By anthony
October 25, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this
I want to suggest the Falcons pick up DE Eric Ogbogu, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and the model for the Under Armour sportswear. “We must protect this House!!” He would be a good replacement for Abraham because his best skill is the same as Abraham.
By Andy
October 25, 2006 03:14 AM | Link to this
There is also that guy in the coke commercial I love——what was his name. I know he’s a free agent now…played for the steelers…green something…real mean…..just kidding.
By lee sunset
October 25, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
For the naysayers… “Trouble brewing in Falcons-Land?” from SI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/10/22/banks.snaps/index.html
By Jerry
October 25, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
Hate to say it but I told you so.
By Keeping it real
October 25, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Abe hope you get well soon. you will be back just in time in December to make last push to the play off. The new offense lineman did good last week # 61 can fine him a new job. Donatell has to do better . we have a lot of road games and the defense has to step it up! Greg Knapp I hope You got a good game plan we are going to need it . Please tell the receiver to focus on holding on to the ball !
By mobe
October 25, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
I hardly believe the falcons are the only team to have players on the injured list who are getting paid big time. At Least We still have a healthy impact players.
By Singletary
October 25, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
Najeh Davenpoops analysis of the 1st round draft pick for Abraham trade is devastating. While you don’t know for sure that x person will still be available when you are “on the clock,” $45 mill is a lot of “cars.”
Didn’t we just pick up a former Denver “cut blocker?” Is this an indicator that Mora doesn’t believe Abe is coming back?
By LP
October 25, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Please do not forget the season opener vs. Carolina. Abraham has as many sacks in two games as Davis has had during the time that Abraham was out. That’s not a knock on Davis, I think that the experience last year’s rookies got will help them immensely whenever a defensive player goes down. Abe is a beast, and I hope that he is fully healed in time to knock Drew Brees down 3 or 4 times.